Who's Running: Durham County DA, Sheriff, and Judiciary

Christy has a law degree from NC Central University. 

Christy is a guardian ad litem attorney advocate. She previously worked as a family law attorney. Before that, she spent seven years at JusticeMatters, helping represent immigrants and others with limited resources.

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Christy currently works as a senior assistant county attorney. She previously worked as a family law attorney and worked at a firm that helped represent immigrants and others with limited resources.

Christy previously ran for North Carolina district court judge in 2017 but did not win.

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As a guardian ad litem attorney advocate, researches and provides recommendations to the court on behalf of children.

As an assistant county attorney for Durham County since April 2024, prosecutes civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the county attorney’s office, supervises legal and clerical staff, and conducts interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

As an attorney for JusticeMatters, Inc. for eight years, counseled clients through trial and negotiated settlements in family law cases, such as custody, adoption, and guardianship.

- As an assistant county attorney for Durham County since April 2024, prosecutes civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the county attorney’s office, supervises legal and clerical staff, and conducts interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.
- As an attorney for JusticeMatters, Inc. for eight years, counseled clients through trial and negotiated settlements in family law cases, such as custody, adoption, and guardianship.

Legal Experience

As of January 2, 2026, Christy A. Hamilton Malott’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Volunteered as the Community Child Protection Team Chair and the Child Fatality Prevention Team Chair.

Volunteered at the North Carolina Children’s Justice Act Task Force and the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force.

Served as a board member at the now 16th Judicial District Durham Co. Bar Association.

- Volunteered as the Community Child Protection Team Chair and the Child Fatality Prevention Team Chair.
- Volunteered at the North Carolina Children’s Justice Act Task Force and the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force.
- Served as a board member at the now 16th Judicial District Durham Co. Bar Association.

Community Involvement

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Christy A. Hamilton Malott

As of January 2, 2026, Christy A. Hamilton Malott did not have a website or any information online.

Christy currently works as senior assistant county attorney. She previously worked as a family law attorney and worked at a firm that helped represent immigrants and others.

- As an assistant county attorney, prosecutes civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the county attorney’s office, supervises legal and clerical staff, and conducts interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Emileigh Crouch

Buket Urgen

Clayton Jones is from South Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina and a law degree from North Carolina Central University. He has lived in Durham since 2000.

Clayton has a degree from the University of South Carolina and a law degree from North Carolina Central University. 

Clayton currently works as a chief district court judge. He previously worked as an assistant public defender and assistant district attorney. 

Clayton is currently a district court judge for Durham County. He was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He currently serves as Chief District Court Judge for the 16th Judicial District.

Clayton is currently chief district court judge for District 16. He was first elected in 2018 and is currently serving his second term. 

As chief district court judge, resolved contested child custody cases while ensuring protection of all parties, dealt with matters of delinquency, crime, traffic, first appearance, involuntary commitments, and bond forfeitures.

As a district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As chief district court judge, resolved contested child custody cases while ensuring protection of all parties, dealt with matters of delinquency, crime, traffic, first appearance, involuntary commitments, and bond forfeitures.
- As a district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Implemented policy to move cases through court more efficiently, oversaw district transfer to electronic filing, and created court scheduled coverage to cover mental health and recovery courts.

Believes in stronger representation and better outcomes for juvenile offenders.

- Implemented policy to move cases through court more efficiently, oversaw district transfer to electronic filing, and created court scheduled coverage to cover mental health and recovery courts.
- Believes in stronger representation and better outcomes for juvenile offenders.

Believes in "compassion, accountability, respect, efficiency, and service to the citizens of Durham."

- Believes in "compassion, accountability, respect, efficiency, and service to the citizens of Durham."

Durham County Chief District Court Judge Clayton Jones facing ...

Was found not guilty on a misdemeanor charge of assault on a female and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence.

- Was found not guilty on a misdemeanor charge of assault on a female and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence.

As of January 2, 2026, Clayton Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Clayton Jones

- Faces misdemeanor charge of assault and misdemeanor charge of domestic violence with a court date on January 15, 2025.

- Believes in compassion, accountability, respect, efficiency, and service to the citizens of Durham.

Graduated from NCCU law school and worked for 15 years as an assistant public defender, advocating for stronger representation for Durham’s juvenile offenders.

Member of the Durham Committee and People’s Alliance PACs. 

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 16, Democratic Primary

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement